Xander Bogaerts delivered when the San Diego Padres needed him most, helping them stay alive in their NLDS series against the Milwaukee Brewers. After Tuesday’s Game 3 win, his sister Chandra Bogaerts celebrated his performance on Instagram with a simple message: “All heart!! #Bogaerts ⚾.” Bogaerts made an important defensive play, scored a key insurance run and helped finish the game with a double play. His performance came after questions about his production during his time in San Diego. The Padres will now face the Brewers again in Game 4 on Wednesday.




Xander Bogaerts makes key plays in Padres’ NLDS Game 3 winBogaerts went 1-for-3 at the plate but made his biggest impact with his running and defense.




In the bottom of the sixth inning, Bogaerts scored an important insurance run after making the most of a throwing error. That extra run became important as San Diego held on for the win.




His biggest moment came in the fifth inning. Bogaerts made a diving stop to prevent a ball from getting through and potentially bringing another Brewers run home.




He then helped end the game in the ninth. Bogaerts turned a 6-3 double play on a ground ball from Christian Yelich to seal the Padres’ victory.




His sister Chandra reacted to the performance soon after the game. She shared a photo celebrating Bogaerts on her Instagram story with the caption: “All heart!! #Bogaerts ⚾.”




The performance was especially important for Bogaerts after criticism surrounding his production since signing an 11-year, $280 million contract with San Diego. His work against Milwaukee showed why the Padres continue to value what he can provide beyond his numbers at the plate.




Xander Bogaerts explains his diving stop and aggressive baserunningAfter the game, Bogaerts spoke with MLB.com’s Jessica Camerato about the plays that helped San Diego protect its lead.




“I strongly believe the diving play (in the fifth inning) probably was the momentum shift during the game,” Bogaerts said. “If that ball goes by, we're losing by a run now. As soon as the ball hit, I didn't even think I had a chance, and the more it kept going, I just dove, and it went in the glove.”




Bogaerts also explained why he was ready to take an extra base when the opportunity appeared.




“The baserunning, I take it very seriously. Understanding the situation that we were in, down 2-0, the Brewers, they always fight to come back, they score runs late. Any extra run would have been huge. I didn’t expect the shortstop to throw bad, but if he did, I was pretty much ready to go.”




That approach helped San Diego add a run it could not afford to leave behind. His defensive stop then prevented Milwaukee from gaining another opportunity, while the final double play ended the game.




The Padres now return to Petco Park for Game 4 on Wednesday. San Diego needs another win to keep its postseason run going, while Milwaukee will have another chance to close out the series.